Travel Updates
On Safari for Faith and Healing
June 18, 2023 from Zambia
Greetings Friends and Partners!
Today is my last full day in Zambia before going to Kenya for a few days. This has been a full month on the move every day. I am so thankful for grace and mercy on the roads, which are challenging. The road system has not changed in 50 plus years, but the population has almost tripled in that time. I spare you the conditions on the road!
Being Father’s Day, even here, I am so grateful for my children and grandchildren. I so look forward to seeing them soon.
This trip has had its high and low points. One special Father I want to share with you. At the left is my friend Darius Shakwamba. We have worked together from the early days when I found him during the 90’s, serving as pastor of the Mbala church. I remember sitting in their house while his wife, Bana Jo, told me of “living in a house with no shutters,” and the insects and cold were causing them to suffer. We have shared many things!
Darius and I have built churches, did crusades, been broken down too many times to count, challenged the churches, did campaigns for malaria and HIV, mourned the dying and encouraged the living to press on. Together the family raised not only their own children, but orphans that lost parents, especially to AIDS in the 90’s. They still call him father. Their own children have now grown up, but still are challenged to find any meaningful work.
As you may see, the impact of BP and diabetes has taken a toll on my friend. A few years ago he wrote he was losing his leg, and we encouraged him and the family to press on. We helped him go to Lusaka for a prosthesis and eye surgery. Now he has limited eyesight and only one leg, but I am so thankful he is with us. Three days a week he goes to the Training Center to give counsel and encourage the team. My heart is broken for them, but when I took his hand, it was strong and he was the one encouraging me. There is no real retirement program in Zambia. The little he received from the pension fund he used to pay for the funeral of his mother. The MCLTC board decided to see if we could get a grinding mill for him and the family, so that is my prayer that we can source the funds and get the mill set up. That is one way they can have future living needs. He is a Father to many, and a Brother to me.
On a lighter note, this trip has been full. We have had many trainings for farmers, students and meetings on the future.
The team loaded up the library, it seemed, to represent the school at the Agriculture show. It was a long day, but a good one. We took 3rd in show! Florence on the left below took first in hospitality! She is our secretary, and also a student.
We also were blessed with an awesome graduation day! It always amazes me how excited the team, students and community get when we celebrate our ministry and skills graduates! Since Covid took over, this was the first graduation, and they did it up right!
We had all the village, students from town, the District Commissioner and his team, dancing students and solemn challenges, all under the trees at the Luswepo Center! Then food for all, or so the Master of Ceremonies said to the shock of the food team of women! That was not the program! But they managed.
It was one of our best graduations, I think. The District Commissioner asked that we try and take more local students as they have nowhere to send them for training. We have a challenge ahead, but a challenge is only a blessing in camouflage. We will see where the Lord leads.
Food Crisis
Zambia and central Africa is in the midst of a food crisis. I am so happy that our farmers who used the mycorrhizae we bring were able to have good crops, but many lost their fields.
I wish I could say all the crops looked as good as the one on the left. What this picture does not show is that due to hunger in the village, this is only a small part of the crop. The rest was stolen by hungry people. Hunger is here.
We will do what we can try to build up some reserves for the coming months.
Remember to mark your calendars to come to the Munada Market at Oregon Heritage Farms Sept. 15 to 17!
As the late Paul Harvey would say, come and hear “the rest of the story!” That surely dates me! Who can remember Paul Harvey? Just say: “Good day!”
We also need craft people and helpers! Use your talents for the Lord!
Thank you for standing with our African families. It so thrills me to see how they face adversity. As they often say, “the life, it is tough” and yet they push on.
God bless you and your families. Stay strong and keep your purposes set on the Lord.
Lee and Cheryl (she is my home team support!) Albaugh
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